Liz opened up registration just a little while ago. Please check out http://www.palms.org for full details.

In order to register you need to be an IPS member.

Here are the registration fees:
Registration per person for double occupancy RECEIVED and PAID by end-of-day May 4th, 2012, is US$1,500.
Registration per person for single occupancy RECEIVED and PAID by end-of-day May 4th, 2012, is US$1,910.
Registration per person for double occupancy RECEIVED and PAID from May 5th through August 17th, 2012, is US$1,600.
Registration per person for single occupancy RECEIVED and PAID from May 5th through August 17th, 2012, is US$2,010.

We had hoped the registration fee would be considerably lower, and this assumption was based on early estimates of the cost structure. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the various costs in Thailand have gone up. We sincerely hope that everyone who was planning to attend will still be able to do so. This event is likely to be a "once in a lifetime" experience.

Day 8: Tuesday, September.18, 2012
- Breakfast at NNTBG
- Transfers to Bangkok Suwannaphum Airport for flights home or to Hanoi for Vietnam post tour.

Please note - there is also a Pretour of southern Thailand, organized through the IPS. Full information is on the website. In addition, Dr. Andrew Henderson is arranging a post-tour to Vietnam, and this is outside of IPS responsibility, but you will find a link on the IPS website.

Even with the higher prices that we were warned about, I'd still like to try to make it. I know I'll never get a better chance to visit this part of the world and I'll regret it if I don't go. Has anyone especially on the U.S. East Coast found any good deals on flights? Any airlines you can generally recommend or that I should avoid? I'm somewhat familiar with the major U.S. airlines, but otherwise have no idea. Any intermediate airports to avoid, especially for someone handicapped by lack of fluency in ANY language except English? Thanks for your help.

Even with the higher prices that we were warned about, I'd still like to try to make it. I know I'll never get a better chance to visit this part of the world and I'll regret it if I don't go. Has anyone especially on the U.S. East Coast found any good deals on flights? Any airlines you can generally recommend or that I should avoid? I'm somewhat familiar with the major U.S. airlines, but otherwise have no idea. Any intermediate airports to avoid, especially for someone handicapped by lack of fluency in ANY language except English? Thanks for your help.

Flying out of Dulles the cheapest fare is on Qatar airlines at about $1400 round trip, United can get you there thru code sharing with ANA for around $1800 both with just one stop, Long flights but you are pretty far away.Hopes this helps. You would not have any problems with the one stops or the language at either transfer point.

Even with the higher prices that we were warned about, I'd still like to try to make it. I know I'll never get a better chance to visit this part of the world and I'll regret it if I don't go. Has anyone especially on the U.S. East Coast found any good deals on flights? Any airlines you can generally recommend or that I should avoid? I'm somewhat familiar with the major U.S. airlines, but otherwise have no idea. Any intermediate airports to avoid, especially for someone handicapped by lack of fluency in ANY language except English? Thanks for your help.

Flying out of Dulles the cheapest fare is on Qatar airlines at about $1400 round trip, United can get you there thru code sharing with ANA for around $1800 both with just one stop, Long flights but you are pretty far away.Hopes this helps. You would not have any problems with the one stops or the language at either transfer point.

The price that Charlie gave you on Qatar Airways sounds like a good one. I havn't checked any prices or schedules out of your area to Bangkok but you may want to check a few others before making a decision. In some cases you may find a somewhat higher price, but maybe the connection is a better one. On a long flight like this, I don't mind a connection time of 2-2.5 hours. Gives you a bit more of a "buffer" in case the first flight is slightly delayed. You would also have many more options out of New York - either JFK or Newark, and I don't know if that's feasible for you, or worth the trouble. You may want to check the other two Gulf carriers as well; Emirates (via Dubai) and Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi). Qatar Airways is the third one (via Doha) and all three are known for their service. You could also check any one of the main European carriers; British Airways, Air France (even though Paris CDG is not the best airport to connect through), KLM, Lufthansa and SAS. The most direct route is actually Finnair via Helsinki, but depending on the connection time some of the other options may have similar total travel times. In many cases you may have to check directly on the airline's own website in order to get the best price. Checking Expedia and other similar sites will not necessarily give you the best available price. And if you happen to come across Aerosvit Airlines with a connection in Kiev and a great price, DON'T! Lots of complaints against them. And other than the three Gulf carriers that I mentioned above I would also stay away from other carriers in the Middle East as well as Air India and Pakistan International. You may want to check Singapore Airlines as well. They have a great price out of Los Angeles (via Singapore) to Bangkok, and who knows, maybe something competitive out of NY as well. Known for their outstanding service.

Bo-Göran

PS. Oh, and I guarantee - you will definitely not regret your decision to attend this event. It will be something very special in so many different ways. And English is the language of aviation. You won't have any problems at any of the connecting airports.

The price that Charlie gave you on Qatar Airways sounds like a good one. I havn't checked any prices or schedules out of your area to Bangkok but you may want to check a few others before making a decision. In some cases you may find a somewhat higher price, but maybe the connection is a better one. On a long flight like this, I don't mind a connection time of 2-2.5 hours. Gives you a bit more of a "buffer" in case the first flight is slightly delayed. You would also have many more options out of New York - either JFK or Newark, and I don't know if that's feasible for you, or worth the trouble. You may want to check the other two Gulf carriers as well; Emirates (via Dubai) and Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi). Qatar Airways is the third one (via Doha) and all three are known for their service. You could also check any one of the main European carriers; British Airways, Air France (even though Paris CDG is not the best airport to connect through), KLM, Lufthansa and SAS. The most direct route is actually Finnair via Helsinki, but depending on the connection time some of the other options may have similar total travel times. In many cases you may have to check directly on the airline's own website in order to get the best price. Checking Expedia and other similar sites will not necessarily give you the best available price. And if you happen to come across Aerosvit Airlines with a connection in Kiev and a great price, DON'T! Lots of complaints against them. And other than the three Gulf carriers that I mentioned above I would also stay away from other carriers in the Middle East as well as Air India and Pakistan International. You may want to check Singapore Airlines as well. They have a great price out of Los Angeles (via Singapore) to Bangkok, and who knows, maybe something competitive out of NY as well. Known for their outstanding service.

Bo-Göran

PS. Oh, and I guarantee - you will definitely not regret your decision to attend this event. It will be something very special in so many different ways. And English is the language of aviation. You won't have any problems at any of the connecting airports.

Just a couple more questions for now: If I arrive at 7:45 am Tues. Sept. 11 and my flight back to Virginia leaves Bangkok at 2:45 am, will transfers between the airport and hotel still be included with the registration? Or do I need to arrange transportation myself especially in the middle of the night on Sept. 17 or early Sept. 18 for the return trip? I figure I'll just stay up late at the farewell dinner... All Qatar's return flights leave at that early hour. Also, If I arrive at the hotel in the morning on the 11th, would there be a chance of early check in or at least a place to stow my bag until a room is ready after the long flight?
Great news for me is that using half the points I thought I'd need, I'll pay a total of $120 for my round trip ticket if I book this flight! I knew I was hoarding all these points for something!

Airport transfers are included in the registration fee as long as the IPS receives flight information from the participant. See the Biennial information on the palms.org site. There is no way at this early date to give specific information exactly when the transfers may take place, except that as a general rule they will be planned with the travellers' convenience in mind.

Singapore airlines are among the best, IMO. A bit expensive, but much better than most. Besides, going via Singapore is the best too. Sometimes they even give you a deal $1 stop over in Singapore, if you are lucky!!

My wife Andrea and I attended the first ever biennial in Thailand back in 1998 and we still today talk about it quite often. This will be an exciting trip, and we also look forward to meeting you.
Jeff

Bo,
Can you pay deposit first to secure your place? I can't take advantage of the early bird unfortunately as I am going away in June/July holiday with the kids and I need to spend money on that first.

In order to take advantage of the early bird special, the full amount needs to be paid prior to May 5th. Part of the reason for this is that the IPS has to pay a considerable deposit in mid May to Nong Nooch so the money is needed from those who register early.

I wasn't asking for the early bird special, Bo. I don't think I will make that as I have many commitments before then. I just want to make sure I get a spot while trying to save as much as I can in the time. Is that possible?

I am sorry I misunderstood you. There is no need to be concerned about missing out. As we get closer to the event I will be making announcements here every now and then as to what the general status is. And if we are getting close to "selling out" I will most definitely make that clear. Well in time for anyone to register.

I think the question is can you hold a spot with a deposit, and if so, when is the balance due?

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, USAAll characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

Registrations have been coming in at a good pace ever since we opened up and we just passed the 100 mark a few days ago. 100 people registered and paid for. That's an excellent number considering that we still have four more months before registration closes in mid August, and more than two weeks before the "Early Bird Special" opportunity expires (saving $100 per person). It should be stressed that we only have a certain number of rooms available inside Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden and they are being allocated on a first come/paid-first served basis. Once filled up, alternate lodging at the nearby Botany Resort in Sattahip outside of Nong Nooch will be used."

The number of buses will depend entirely on the number of participants. We had 220 in Thailand in 1998 and if I remember correctly, we had six buses. Buses obviously vary in size, I think generally between 45 and 55 seats for the larger ones. We had four buses in both Rio and Costa Rica for about 180 people. Jim Cain and Kim are handling the bus allocations. In both CR and Rio we had a bus that was more or less a PalmTalk bus. If you promise not to bring up "dress code" again we may be able to squeeze you and Colin onto the PalmTalk bus...

Perhaps this is a bit premature, but I'm leaving home (Guatemala) in a couple of weeks traveling before the biennial starts. Is there anything I need to bring besides common sense? This will be my first biennial and I wanted to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

Thank you,

Peter

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Peter

hot and humid, short rainy season May through October, 14* latitude, 90* longitude

I can only think of one thing: make sure you have the name and address of the hotel in Bangkok (Grand Four Wings) so that you'll be able to find your way there. For those arriving Bangkok on September 9th, 10th and 11th, transportation will be provided to the hotel, but JUST in case there's a problem and that doesn't work the way it's supposed to. Other than that, nothing beyond what you would normally bring on a trip.

Jeff, Jim Cain and I are keeping track of arrivals and airport transfers. If you are arriving Sept. 7, 8, 9, or 10 AND staying at Grand Four Wings Hotel in Bangkok, the answer is most likely yes. If anything different, please email us directly (see the IPS Biennial page at www.palms.org) and we'll see what we can do.

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Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, USAAll characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

Jeff, Jim Cain and I are keeping track of arrivals and airport transfers. If you are arriving Sept. 7, 8, 9, or 10 AND staying at Grand Four Wings Hotel in Bangkok, the answer is most likely yes. If anything different, please email us directly (see the IPS Biennial page at www.palms.org) and we'll see what we can do.

Kim, I rented an apartment for a week (six days) in the Silom district near the river, and I told Jim that I would find my own transportation to the Grand Four Wings Hotel on the 11th, but perhaps the GFW hotel can pick us up there instead? I'm sure it's closer than the airport. Peter

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Peter

hot and humid, short rainy season May through October, 14* latitude, 90* longitude

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, USAAll characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

Peter already has his answer, but in case this question comes up again, please note: IPS Biennial registration includes transfers to and from the airport and the Grand Four Wings Hotel ONLY. Any other transport you must arrange on your own.

0

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, USAAll characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental